Maryland Slots
 

the idiots in AA county passed the slot vote. only problem the slots will be at the mall complex!

http://wjz.com/local/casino.maryland...2.1993464.html

it just gets worse here.:zz:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/rac...urel-park.aspx

I couldn't disagree with you more, Darrin.

Once all of the slots facilities are up and running, there is going to be a glut of purse money to hand out in MD. And given the matching funds (up to $40million/yr) that will be available for facility renewal, there is now no excuse for Magna not to be able to run their racetracks.

We did not need slots at Laurel Park to save racing there. I'm glad Magna/MJC and Penn National Gaming won't be allowed to have slots at Laurel. I want them to run a racetrack, not a slots parlor. And don't anyone fool yourselves to think MJC/PNG was in this to help MD racing - they were in it to help themselves with racing being the necessary evil they would have to put up with in order to profit from slots.

Tom Chuckas' statements days before the election were shameful. MJC can not close Bowie without legislative approval. MJC can not run Laurel as an OTB without approval from the Horseman's Association because the MTHA controls the simulcast signals. MJC can not reduce to just 40 days of racing without approval from the Maryland Racing Commission and MTHA. Any thoughts of running a 40 day super-meet, a la Monmouth, guts what is left of the MD breeding industry, kills the MD Million, and erases the small trainers and owners. I don't think MTHA will let that happen - and yet given Richard Hoffeberger's ineptitude......

One final thing - the legislation associated with the Nov 2008 State Referendum on slots states the following:

Conditions of eligibility for funding under Racetrack Facility Renewal Account:

- live racing:

1. for Laurel Park and Pimlico – minimum of 220 live race days unless otherwise agreed by track licensee and MTHA (no reference to MHBA)

If MJC really wants to cut their throat, they'll throw away the chance for the Facility Renewal money by not being able to reach agreement with MTHA on the number of racing days. While I think 220 days of live racing in MD is unrealistic, I do think there's room for negotiations that will allow up to the current number of days (120) which would mean Laurel remains open.

Laurel Park won't close after all, Stronach says
 

http://www.drf.com/news/laurel-park-...-stronach-says

-bt-

Here comes Frank, riding the white horse, wearing the white hat to "save" MD racing from the bad guy Tom Chuckas.

Now the question is, will the MD horsemen, led by the roll-over king Richard Hoffberger, fall for Franks crap again?

I don't believe for a minute that the statements made by Chuckas just before and after the slots vote, originated in the office, or mind, of Chuckas.

Magna has got to go!!!

I'd still bet dollars to dougnuts that Laurel will close in the very near future.

Less horses, less money bet, less racing.

Slots is competition long term and not helpful.

And now Penn National weighs in.....

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business...,5252183.story

Could this be the opening for Penn National to now jump out of their ownership deal with Frank for half of Laurel and Pimlico? Could this be headed the same way as when Penn National bought Rosecroft Raceway (harness) a few years ago because they wanted to restore harness racing in MD to its former glory regardless whether slots were placed at Rosecroft of not? But when it was decided no slots would go to Rosecroft, Penn National dove out of the deal quicker than a pelican dives into a school of fish.

I'd be shocked for find out Penn National doesn't want to own a racetrack......

Why is PNG the bad guy here? Seems to me like they've done some pretty darn good stuff at CT and PEN in the last 10 years.

Like what?

They built a nice casino at CT and shoved all of the horse bettors into a little cave under the grandstand. They haven't touched the grandstand seating area or the second floor in back of the grandstand. Have they upgraded the rear projection box tv's for simulcast on the second floor? Someone with more knowledge than me might be able to tell us how they've done in the barn area.....

Yeah, but are the purses better? I doubt many horsemen are complaining about the grandstand. The buffet at CT is pretty good as well.